Beccles 3, Pelicans III 1BECCLES took on Pelicans in this Division One M&A Partners Hockey League game which Pelicans very nearly conceded as they failed to provide an umpire.

Beccles 3, Pelicans III 1

BECCLES took on Pelicans in this Division One M&A Partners Hockey League game which Pelicans very nearly conceded as they failed to provide an umpire.

However Avril Mallett (Sprowston) kindly stepped in, having just umpired the previous game. Having only been able to field 10 players last week, initially Beccles had 15 available, but this reduced by two on the day.

Beccles started extremely well and had plenty of attacking opportunities. Annette Freeman made a welcome return after several weeks' forced absence.

The Pelicans goalkeeper, normally a first team player, did a first rate job stopping everything that the Beccles players threw at her. Pelicans also marked tightly and defended in numbers.

The first half saw Pelicans play well but they did not create nearly as many scoring opportunities as their opponents.

Beccles were unlucky not to go ahead when they legitimately got the ball in the back of the net, seconds after the whistle had blown for a foul by the opposition.

Beccles, despite many exasperating attempts, could not break through and the game remained scoreless at half-time.

However, Beccles got off to the perfect start in the second half as Jodie Smith collected the ball following the centre pass, weaved her way through the opposition, passed to Maria Adey. She slipped it just inside the D and sent a hard shot at goal which went under the keeper's pads.

Beccles continued to attack and Ali Foreman and Jodie Smith played an integral part at midfield, creating many chances.

To give everyone a game, Karen Knight played in many different positions throughout the game, and excelled at each of them with timely interceptions and comprehension of the game.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Ali Foreman went on another of her successful attacking runs through the opposition, and nearly did a solo run, but Annette Freeman had to get a touch to make sure the ball was going over the line, and Beccles went 2-0 up.

Pelicans then a good spell where they put constant pressure on the Beccles defence, with many penalty corners and they eventually scored six minutes before full-time.

They continued to pile on the pressure for an equaliser but Beccles managed to increase their lead again through Adey with another well-executed goal two minutes before full-time, making the final score 3-1.

This week Beccles are away to Harleston Magpies IVs 10.30am start.